Environment & Sustainability Professionals' Conference
Thursday 9th December 2021
9:00am - 5:30pm GMT Online
The disconnect created by the pandemic means that it’s more important than ever for our membership to come together to learn, share and connect.
That’s why, on 9th December 2021, we held our first online conference, IEMA Connect 2021.
Featuring practical content from experts and the chance to engage with keynotes, panel discussions and workshops, we explored the hard-hitting discussions on COP26, climate change and more.
Explore this page to find out more and catch up on anything you missed!

View the agenda and watch the conference again
9:00 - 9:15
Welcome

Sarah Mukherjee MBE
CEO of IEMA
9:15 - 9:45
The role of professionals in tackling the sustainability challenge
Ayo called all professionals to take an active role in tackling the sustainability challenge from a holistic perspective discussing their roles as professionals in the workplace, in professional institutions and the wider community.

Ayo Sokale
Project Manager at Environment Agency
10:00 - 10:45
Sustainable business transformation in the 2020s
We've reached a tipping point where belatedly many companies are embracing the need to transform sustainably rather than the old paradigm of being a little less bad. But recognition of the need to change is just the beginning of the root and branch transformation we need of the economy and how it serves society. We looked at the drivers, at the change but crucially we focused on how to deliver sustainable transformation. Listeners explored 3 key questions. Do you understand: 1. Why you need to become sustainable? 2. What you need to do to become sustainable? 3. How you integrate sustainability into all you do?

Mike Barry
Director at Mike Barry Eco Limited
11:00 - 11:45
How to reach net zero

Dr Danielle Stewart
Hydrogen Programme Manager at National Grid

Rachel Purdon
Head of Sustainability at RBG Kew

Julia Farrington
Net Zero Policy and Delivery Manager at Greener NHS Team

James Clare
Director of Climate Change and Sustainability at UK Ministry of Defence

Sarah James
Co Director, Clean Growth at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Sarah George
Senior Reporter at edie.net
12:00 - 12:30
Breaking down the barriers to build a skilled workforce
Environment and sustainability professionals are the catalyst for organisational level change. Committing your business to environmental and sustainability targets and driving towards net zero requires a competent workforce who are capable of supporting the changes required. Educating and empowering your staff will be key. In this session we looked at the need to drive green skills across all parts of the global economy and broke down some of the perceived barriers to making this happen.

Andrew Griffiths
Head of Value Chain Sustainability at Nestlé UK&I
1:30 - 2:15
Build a skilled workforce to drive positive change
During this panel discussion we looked at some of the key benefits of building a skilled workforce. We heard from IEMA Partners who are doing just this. We took a look at how each panellist is addressing the knowledge gap in their business, how we can adapt our approach for fast-moving regulatory content, and how they are maximising green skills to deliver tangible results - both for positive environmental benefits and for organisational behaviour change.

Rebecca Harris
Technical Capability Manager at Network Rail

Dr Phillip Tamuno
Head of Sustainability at QMU

Lynn Thompson
Managing Director at Charburn

Giovanni Nacci
Environment Head at Qatar Rail

Andrew Griffiths
Head of Value Chain Sustainability at Nestlé UK&I
2:30 - 3:15
Making children and climate change everyone's business - partnering for a purpose with UNICEF
Children are the least responsible for climate change yet bear the greatest burden of its impact. Children are central to sustainable development and key agents of change. Yet, there is low awareness of the links - both positive and negative - between the private sector, children and climate change. This session explored UNICEF's holistic approach to tackle the climate crisis for children, young people and communities with examples of private sector partnerships and further opportunities for engagement.

Meghna Das
Sustainability Lead at UNICEF UK
3:30 - 4:15
Next steps for tackling the global biodiversity challenge following the first part of COP15
This session examined what next for the global biodiversity challenge following with the first part of COP15 having taken place in Kunming, China in October. It provided an opportunity to reflect on what was agreed at the initial talks, plus discussion on what more is required at the spring 2022 negotiations.

Mark Johnston
Strategy Lead for Biodiversity & Nature-based Solution at BP PLC

Will Lockhart
Joint Head of Defra’s International Environment Negotiations team at DEFRA

Chris Southworth
Secretary General at ICC United Kingdom

Signe Norberg
Head of Public Affairs and Communications at Aldersgate Group
4:30 - 5:15
COP26 outcomes and challenges
This session looked at whether COP26 fulfilled expectations, how it will stimulate real action to cut emissions and how environmental professionals can take up the baton.

Dan Hamza-Goodacre
Adviser to the COP26 Unit

Zaqiya Cajee
Founder & CEO of SwopItUp CIC

Prof Dave Reay
Chair in Carbon Management & Education at University of Edinburgh

Isabella Kaminski
Journalist
5:15 - 5:30
Closing Comments

Sarah Mukherjee MBE
CEO of IEMA